Fire razes shops and homes near Central Police Station in Koforidua

A devastating fire swept through the commercial heart of Koforidua on Tuesday, incinerating multiple shops and adjacent residential buildings just metres from the Central Police Station. Thick black smoke billowed over the city centre as intense flames consumed wooden storefronts, tin roofs and thatch structures lining the narrow lanes near the police headquarters. The Ghana National Fire Service deployed three engine units and a ladder truck to the scene, deploying high-pressure hoses while evacuating nearby residents. No casualties have been reported yet, but witnesses described people fleeing with only the clothes on their backs as flames licked the sky. The cause of the inferno remains under investigation, with officials yet to determine whether electrical faults or human negligence sparked the blaze. Property damage assessments are still being compiled, though early accounts suggest dozens of small businesses and family homes were completely destroyed. The incident has reignited public concern over fire safety standards in Ghana’s urban centres, particularly in commercial hubs where informal constructions dominate. Community leaders in Koforidua have called for urgent inspections of neighbouring properties deemed structurally vulnerable. Fire Service Director General Edwin Ackah-Tetteh confirmed crews are monitoring for hotspots and will remain on-site through the night. No official casualty figures have been released, but multiple sources indicate several families may have lost all possessions. The destruction unfolded within minutes, with the fire spreading rapidly through interconnected rooftops and overgrown vegetation. Residents described hearing explosive pops as gas cylinders ruptured in the heat. The police have cordoned off the area to preserve evidence while investigations begin. This marks the third major fire incident in Koforidua within the past month, following outbreaks in Apemanim and Avenor. The GNFS has urged the public to report suspicious activities and avoid storing flammable materials in makeshift dwellings. Emergency shelters have been established at the Koforidua Senior High Technical School for displaced families. Authorities appealed for calm as they work to determine the full scope of the disaster.